Outdoor Warning Sirens

Warnings & Updates
The City of Cedar Hill has strategically located 15 Outdoor Warning Sirens throughout the city. These sirens serve as a warning system to alert citizens who are outdoors of imminent emergencies. These emergencies include:

The National Weather Service issues a Tornado Warning

The National Weather Service issues a Severe Thunderstorm Warning with the phrase “Destructive winds in excess of 70 mph are likely with this storm” for the immediate area

Trained storm spotters have reported a tornado that is in or has the potential to affect the community

Reported hail of 1.25” in diameter or larger – 1 inch hail may be more appropriate for areas or events where large numbers of people are outdoors

Other emergencies as directed by appropriate officials

The Outdoor Warning System is normally tested the first Wednesday of each month at 2 p.m. The test is canceled if storms are in the area.

When a Warning Sounds
If you are outdoors when the sirens are activated, go inside and seek shelter immediately. Tune to a local radio or television station for instructions and severe weather or other emergency information.

In case of severe weather, go to a pre-designated safe area or to an interior room with few or no windows. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside. Protect yourself and others by getting under a heavy table or by covering with thick padding or blankets. Use your arms to cover your head and neck to protect from flying and falling debris. It is highly recommended that each home or business have other means to receive warnings and notifications such as:

NOAA National Weather Service Radio

Local television and radio stations

Internet

Weather subscription services

Monitoring sky conditions

Emergency Preparations
One of the instructions you may be given is to shelter in place. This precaution is aimed to keep you safe while remaining indoors during a hazardous materials release or some other chemical emergency. Shelter in place means to select a small, interior room with few or no windows and take refuge.

Instructions for Sheltering in place:

Close and lock all windows and doors

Turn off all fans, heating , and air conditioning units

Close the fireplace damper

Get your family disaster supplies and make sure the portable radio is working

Bring family pets inside

Seal all windows, doors, and air vents. Use towels if possible and, for extended periods of sheltering in place, you can use plastic sheathing and duct tape to seal the structure.

Watch television, listen to the radio, or check the internet often for official news and instructions as they become available.

Emergency Supply Kits
It is also recommended that each home have an emergency supply kit. The emergency supply kit should be ready to use, but located in a way that it can be taken if evacuation becomes necessary. You should also develop a plan with family and friends to include making sure that all phone numbers are current, have a meeting place or another way to let family and friends know where you are going if ordered to evacuate.

An emergency kit should include:

Three days of water (one gallon per day per person) and non-perishable food items.

Food and water should be changed at a minimum of every three months. Make sure to include a can opener

Extra keys, eyeglasses, and hearing aids

Extra cell phone batteries and charger

First aid kit, extra prescription medications, copies of prescriptions, or other special medical needs

Important documents such as insurance papers, proof of residence, photo ID’s, important records, inventory of personal property (with pictures and serial numbers if possible)

Cash

Flashlights with extra batteries

Battery operated portable radio

Important phone numbers of family, friends, insurance company, and others

Ice chest, paper plates, and plastic utensils

Small tool kit and booster cables

Blankets, pillows, sleeping bag, extra clothing

Toilet paper, soap, clean-up supplies, and personal hygiene products

Pets and their supplies

The City of Cedar Hill uses Connect-CTY to notify citizens of situations that could impact their safety, property, or welfare. This system contains listed land line telephone numbers for residences and businesses and allows users to add up to three more numbers, two e-mail addresses, and an SMS number to receive automated alerts from the system.